"The permanent organization of the Pomeroy Fire Department was effected at a meeting of citizens held July 23, 1887. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the following officers elected: M. F. Gose, president; J. M. Hunt, vice president; C. H. Seeley, treasurer; J. W. Rafferty, secretary; John Rehorn, foreman; H. St. George, first assistant; Charles Kinzie, second assistant. The enrolled membership was over thirty. Late in that year the department purchased a hook and ladder truck and a hose cart.
"The first brick building in the City of Pomeroy was erected in the fall of 1887. This was the First National Bank of Pomeroy; the cost was $20,000. This was followed by the Seeley block, which, while less costly, was not inferior in point of architectural beauty to the bank building.
"The first conflagration of importance following the organization of the fire department in 1887 attacked Pomeroy Thursday morning, February 6, 1890. The fire broke out near the dividing wall between J. H. Hagy's boot and shoe shop and the dry goods store belonging to S. Kasper on Main Street.
"In October, 1890, Company H National Guard of Washington was mustered into service.
"There were forty-three men in line; officers were: Captain, Harry St. George; first lieutenant, Elmer R. Brady; second lieutenant, J. W. Murphy. The company was mustered on October 2d, by Captain Wise, of Goldendale.
"The greatest fire known in the history of the town occurred July 18, 1890, when the business portion of the town east of Third Street was swept away. The Garfield County Courthouse was destroyed entailing a public loss of $10,000.
"In 1898 the City of Pomeroy had a population of 1,500, and the volume of business done was estimated at one million dollars annually."
During all the time from the establishment of the city, it remained under the Territorial charter of 1886. But on May 28, 1917, an election was held for the purpose of voting upon a new charter. It had become plain that the old charter was no longer adapted to the growing city and hence the change was made by general consent. A primary election for officers for the new government was held on July 30th, and on August 27th, the election took place. As a result of this election the city government under the new charter was duly inaugurated.
With the officers of the new government it is fitting that those of the outgoing be named. They were as follows: Mayor, Fred Matthes; councilmen, C. S. Black, W. A. DeBow, O. S. Williamson, D. E. Smith, and R. Hender. Clerk, Harry St. George. The officers under the new government are: Mayor, C. E. Kuykendall; councilmen, first ward, W. F. Taylor, George Engleson; second ward, B. Y. Rainey, J. D. Lyon; third ward, J. O. Long; fourth ward, F. M. Robinson; councilman at large, H. B. Henley; city attorney, A. G. Farley; city treasurer, W. B. Morris; city clerk, D. A. Taylor.
HISTORY OF BUSINESS HOUSES